Excellence in Science Teaching Award
Nomination Page
Submit the easy way - do it online!
This page is for nominations, nominee supporting materials, and letters of support.
Instructions to submit online or by mail are found below.
Be sure to read the ESTA Brochure before submitting nomination materials.
How to Nominate - Please Read all Instructions
ESTA Applications Include (The online form prompts you for supporting materials.)
1. A nomination letter and two letters of reference.
a. The nominator’s letter may serve as one letter of reference.
b. The other letter of reference must be from a direct administrator at the nominee’s current assignment.
c. Self-nominations must include the nomination letter and two additional letters of reference.
One letter of reference must be from a direct administrator at the current assignment.
2. An application completed by the nominee which includes supporting materials.*
4. Nominate online or by mail. (Online is easier!)
*There is no application form for mailed submissions. You must provide a print copy of all requested materials. Please do not fold the materials. The ESTA Brochure describes criteria and what must be submitted.
Nomination Steps
1. Nominators begin the process by submitting a nomination letter and notifying their nominee.
2. Nominees complete an application.
3. References write supporting letters.
Who May Submit Nominations
Nominators may be administrators, colleagues, parents, students, or others with knowledge of a teacher's work. Teachers may self-nominate. Download the ESTA brochure above for more information or contact the IAS office with questions.
Submit Online
How to Use the Online Nomination Forms
1. Nominators and self-nominators use the form in STEP 1 below. Submission deadline is February 19th.
2. Nominees use the form in STEP 2. This also serves as your cover page. Submission deadline is February 19th.
3. Letters of reference are submitted using STEP 3. Deadline is February 19th.
* The nominating letter serves as one letter of reference unless the teacher is self-nominating. Self-nominations require two additional letters of reference including a direct supervising administrator at the current assignment.
Form 1: For Nominators and Self-Nominators
Use this form to submit a nomination online. If you prefer you may mail your nomination to the IAS office: ESTA Nomination, Iowa Academy of Science, BAR 2124, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, 50614-0508. Nomination letters may be used as one of the required reference letters unless it is a self-nomination. Self-nomination must include two separate letters of reference.
Form 2: For Nominees
Nominees use the online form below or submit by mail. When submitting online this form IS your cover page. When submitting by mail follow the directions near the bottom of this page or in the ESTA Brochure.
This form requires you to attach your essay questions to it as one file. Files may be .pdf, .doc, or .docx.
Form 3: Letters of Reference
To submit a letter of reference for an ESTA nominee please fill out the form below and attach your letter as a .pdf, .doc, or a .docx.
Instructions for Submitting by Mail
We encourage nominators and nominees to submit online. The online forms guide the process.
If you wish to nominate or self-nominate by mail please follow the directions below.
To Submit by Mail - Instructions Below
Nominators and nominees should mail their documents to:
ESTA Nominations
Iowa Academy of Science
BAR 2124
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0508
Nominators
Submit a nomination and contact the nominee.
1. Nominators please submit your nomination letter to the address above. Inform the nominee of the nomination and direct them to complete the application form. They may do it online or follow the directions below to submit by mail. There is no form when applying by mail. Follow the instructions below.
Nominees
Submit a Cover Page
2. When submitting by mail, nominees should include the following information on a cover page:
Name, school address, city, zip, school & home phone, home address and email address.
Award category.
Science education experience including present responsibilities.
Educational background (college, graduate work, institutes, etc.
The cover page must be signed by the nominee.
Submit the Following Essay Questions
3. Essay Questions:
Describe your professional development experiences, including membership, presentations, attendance at conferences, projects, and future goals.
Compose a list of the top 5 characteristics of an effective science teacher/coordinator, briefly explaining each characteristic's importance.
Describe the assessment strategies that you employ when evaluating in many different learning activities.
Select one unit, major concept, or noteworthy project/effort that is especially successful and describe the objectives, strategies employed, and why you consider it exemplary.
Confirm Letters of Reference
4. Letters of Reference
Two letters of reference highlighting the nominee's competence are required. One must be from a direct administrator at the nominee's current assignment. The other may be a colleague, parent of a student, or a student. Provide the name, title, telephone number and email address of each reference in the application. A nomination letter may be used as a letter of reference if it is not a self-nomination. Self-nominations require two letters of reference in addition to the self-nomination letter. One letter must be from a direct administrator at the nominee’s current assignment.